Polish President and Top Government Officials Killed in Catastrophic Plane Crash in Smolensk, Russia
The Polish President, his wife, dozens of members of parliament, and tons of top military and cabinet officials are all dead as of early this morning. Over 100 people total were killed in a disastrous plane crash in Smolensk that was carrying the heads of the Polish government to Russia to partake in the 70th commemoration of the Katyn Woods Massacre.
It is terrible to note that this is the second great tragedy for Poles in the Smolensk region. The first, known as the Katyn Woods Massacre occurred in the early stages of WWII when thousands of top Polish intellects and military officials were shot to death under Stalin's order. To make matters worse, over the years Russia has at times both denied and refused to take responsibility for the atrocity. Today, even 70 years later, harsh feelings remain between Poles and Russians over the issue, a fact that completely complicates today’s enormous disaster.
This happened only less than 2 hours ago and so at this point it is uncertain what will be the full impact of this horrible event. The photos of the crash rubble confirm the report that there will be no survivors. The official number of dead as reported by the news changes by the minute. Suspicions about Russian schemes have of course surfaced. The tensions will only increase over the coming hours. When in history have so many of the most important government officials of a country all been killed in one incident?
As I type this from my friend's apartment in the center of Krakow, I look out the window and watch the people walking down the street. Maybe they know already, or more probably, they have yet to hear. They're yet to know that Poland is not the same Poland it was three hours ago. But for them, or for any of us, to really understand that Poland is not the same Poland it was three hours ago will take much, much more time.
An event like this puts in check all the unimportant and trivial problems in our lives. THIS is something real. This is something that, as I told my Polish friend, she will remember all her life. I know I will.
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